Zigzag Spiderwort, Wideleaf Spiderwort - Tradescantia subaspera

Tradescantia subaspera - Zigzag Spiderwort, Wideleaf Spiderwort. While spiderworts are found in all but 5 states, Tradescantia subaspera is found only in 18 states in the eastern half of the United States. The lovely 3-petaled blossoms melt away when the sun gets on them. According to a quote from 1894 wildflower author George Iles, found at Arthur Lee Jacobson's website, the "Spiderwort" name comes from the ability to draw the sun-melted blossoms out into long threads like a spider's web.

*While the USDA Plants Database and others list Tradescantia subaspera as being found in Pennsylvania, most recent research, including Flora of North America and BONAP, imply there are no verifiable records of its presence.

Zigzag Spiderwort has 3 blue/purple petals which are more or less equal in size. The yellow anthers are atop a relatively long filaments, which are hairy, giving a fuzzy appearance to the flowers. I was surprised to find this plant blooming, albeit with a single blossom, since Spiderwort is usually a late spring / early summer wildflower.

Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-06

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60

A spider protecting a solitary Spiderwort blossom.

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Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-06

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60

The common name Zigzag comes from the appearance of the stem of the plant, which makes slight direction changes at the leaf nodes. The wideleaf name is because the alternating leaves are wider than in most Tradescantia species, being up to 2 inches wide.

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Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-06

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson

The inflorescence terminates both the main stem and stems arising from the leaf axils.